Internal working models of attachment to mothers and fathers in college students: relations to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown disrupted daily life and was related to increased mental health problems across the developmental spectrum, including for emerging adults. Understanding factors that contribute to adjustment during such national crises is critical, and attachment theory may provide a valuable framework for doing so. Participants & Methods: In the current study, 441 U.S. college students completed an online survey of their attachment internal working models (IWMs), anger and depressive rumination, and the psychological impact of COVID-19. Results: More secure IWMs of the mother-child relationship were indirectly associated with lower psychological impact of the pandemic through lower anger and depressive rumination. Although more secure IWMs of the father–child relationship were associated with lower depressive rumination, there were no indirect associations with the impact of the pandemic. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate the utility of attachment theory for understanding the impact of national crises and have implications for preparing and assisting populations at risk.